Specialisations

Specialisations is an overall term covering special upgrades that some factions have.

As a general rule they unlock exclusive special units and heroes purchasing one will remove the other Specialisations for the rest of the battle.

Each faction with Specialisations has their own little twist on the formula.

Fiefdoms allow a player to choose between Anfalas, Lamedon and Dor-en-Ernil specialisations.

Mordor has the Tribalism system that allows the player to focus on a tribe from Ungol, Durthang and Gorgoroth that will unlock an exclusive unit from the Great Barracks and improve the Tribe's selected hero with a new skill.

Strongholds has the Clan system which is a bit different; instead of unlocking a single choice from the Citadel, the player can choose between 2 different clans for their 3 main unit buildings. For instance, for Goblins the player can choose between the Misty Mountains and Moria Clans.

Gondor can specialize between Skirmish and Fortify. For Skirmish, the player unlocks the Ithilien Warriors and Spearmen that aid in border defense, as well as the hero Mardil. For Fortify, the player unlocks Pelargir Marines and Cair Andros Defenders (axemen), as well as the hero Beregond.

Rohan has the Mark system that allows the player to choose between the Riddermark, the East-Mark, or the West-Mark. Each has a certain hero and units "locked" behind them.

Rivendell has two specializations: Lore of the Sea, which unlocks units from Lindon, lead by Cirdan and Galdor, and Lore of the Refuge, which unlocks strong Noldor units, lead by Glorfindel and Gildor.

Erebor has three specializations for reinforcements; Iron Hills, Ered Luin, and the Red Mountains. Each has units and a hero that will come in the form of reinforcements that come later in the game session.

The Free Peoples can specialize between Breeland, Dunedain, and Forochel. Each provides certain units in addition to the core Hobbit forces.